(courtesy First Showing)
SNAPSHOT
This intimate documentary blends the remarkable story of David Attenborough’s first encounter with the baby gorilla Pablo with a deep dive into how Pablo’s direct descendants are doing today in the mountains of Rwanda. Weaving together contemporary and archival footage of the gorilla group and narrated by Attenborough— including excerpts from his 1978 journals — A Gorilla Story is packed with extraordinary gorilla behavior never filmed before. A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough is a documentary film directed by acclaimed nature doc filmmaker James Reed, the Oscar-winning director of docs Jago: A Life Underwater, Rise of the Warrior Apes, My Octopus Teacher, Shark Whisperer, and eps of Frozen Planet II, Chimp Empire. Co-directed by Callum Webster. Produced by Alastair Fothergill. Made by Silverback Films in association with Appian Way. (courtesy First Showing)
As we near David Attenborough’s 100th birthday on 18 May this year, we are being treated to a slew of wonderful documentaries either featuring him or with his brilliantly distinct commentary style.
A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough thankfully features the man himself on-screen – both the present day personage and 50 years ago – and also delivering the narration we love to much and so, the documentary promises to be a highlight’s of the venerable naturalist’s 100th year birthday celebrations.
Watching his documentaries is not simply good for the soul; they are also an encouragement to keep fighting for the natural world, for the many wonders it contains and to remember that we are inextricably bound to it, now and forevermore.
Having David Attenborough here to still remind us of this is such a gift.
A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough premieres on Netflix on 17 April.